On Tuesday, Nov. 27, after two weeks of excruciating pain and missed work, I was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s makeshift emergency department (during the flood).
I was rolled in on a stretcher and set to the side as there was nowhere else for me to go. By then, my pain and illness had leeched away my will to live, despite that I am a 38-year-old woman with a loving husband, three amazing children, a job I love, and so much to live for.
I think, in those moments, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was dying.
But the head nurse in charge saw things differently. He wasted no time in getting me attended to, and I was rushed in for a CT scan. His efforts saved my life.
I was immediately booked for emergency surgery. In the hours that followed, another nurse stayed by my side every second, speaking kindly, advocating for pain medications, and listening to what I had to say.
I felt cared for and supported. I felt hope. My surgeon was equally incredible. Those three people saved my life.
The rest of my stay at Surrey Memorial continued the same. The nurses and doctors seemed to genuinely care about my physical and mental health. I am truly grateful for the dedicated, skilled professionals at Surrey Memorial Hospital. You are saving lives. You saved my life. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Trina Bagnall
Surrey